Source: White House
President Barack Obama visited a United States mosque for the first time during his presidency Wednesday in an effort to remind all Americans the important roles that Muslims play in communities all across the U.S.
Before his speech, Obama sat down with young Muslim Americans who were doctors, educators, social workers and activists. Sitting next to the president was Suzanne Barakat, the eldest sister of Deah Barakat.
Near the end of his address, Obama mentioned the February 2015 killings of Deah Barakat, Yusor Abu Salha, both NC State alumni, and Yusor’s younger sister Razan, who was an architecture student at NC State.
Speaking at the Islamic Society of Baltimore in Maryland, Obama praised the Islamic tenets of peace and the many contributions of Muslim Americans throughout American history.
In light of recent terror attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, California, many of the Republican candidates for president have called for a freeze on the resettling of refugees from the Middle East escaping the conflict in Syria, most of whom are Muslim.
Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush have even called for a screening process to allow Christian refugees into the country while leaving Muslims out. Donald Trump has gone so far to call for complete ban on Muslim travel to the U.S.
“We have to reject a politics that seeks to manipulate bigotry,” Obama said.
While Obama did not call out specific Republican presidential candidates for their heated rhetoric, he called on all Americans not to be “bystanders to bigotry.”
During his address, Obama told the audience that former Presidents Thomas Jefferson and John Adams studied and owned their own Qurans, making the case that Muslims have been an integral part of the American story.
He added that Benjamin Franklin wrote, “even if the Mufti of Constantinople were to send a missionary to preach to us, he would find a pulpit at his service.”
Obama also spent a considerable time of his speech recognizing the daily challenges Muslims face in the U.S., discussing how many Americans had written him letters about their daily fears of being discriminated against. Obama said he was particularly disheartened when he received letters from young children and teenagers who were anxious about feeling that they had to choose between being both Muslim and American.
“If you’re ever wondering whether you fit in here, let me say it as clearly as I can, as president of the United States: You fit in here — right here. You’re right where you belong. You’re part of America, too. You’re not Muslim or American. You’re Muslim and American.”